Poker chip rack



Fell 15, 1944- R. L. LoEscH POKER CHIP RACK Filed June l5, 1942 a rlllxlmmvr Feb. 3.5,' 194% R L LQESCH 2,341,635

POKER CHIP RACK m@ -Mws Patented Feb. 15, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POKERl CHIP RACK l Richards L. Loesch, Montrose, Colo.

Application June 15, 1942, Serial No. 447,007

13 Claims. (Cl. 211-59) My invention relates to poker chip racks and to racks for holding similar articles.

An object of my invention is to provide a new and improved poker chip rack wherein a plurality of chip holders to be used by the individual players are compactly and conveniently nested.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved poker chip rack in which the individual holders may be nested without removing the poker chips therefrom.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved poker chip rack wherein poker chips located in the individual holders are protected against displacement when the rack is shifted from place to place.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved poker chip rack which may be made of any usual and suitable materials and which is inexpensive and attractive.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved poker chip rack in which any number of individual holders may be removed without disturbing the holders remaining in the rack.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my invention showing the several parts in assembled position, but with a section of the cover broken away and part of the poker chips removed to show more clearly the construction of the individual parts;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the cover and most of the individual holders removed and also showing the remaining holders as having the poker chips removed therefrom;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. l, but in this gure the poker chips have been removed to show more clearly the structural details;

Fig. 4 is a partial horizontal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an individual holder with the chips removed therefrom.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings the complete poker chip rack comprises a base I0 on which are supported in nested relation a plurality of individual poker chip holders I2 and a cover I4 which may be secured in place by tapered pins I6 inserted in tapered holes I8 located in a handle 20 attached to the base II] and extending through a slot 22 in the cover I4. In the particular embodiment illustrated, the complete rack includes eight individual holders, but

limited to a rack having this particular number of holders but may be made in various sizes to accommodate different needs. The rack may be made of wood, plywood, metal, plastic, or any other suitable or available material. I

In the particular embodiment shown, the base I0 is formed of plywood and is provided with a handle 20 comprising upright wooden posts 24 connected by a cross bar 26, also of wood. The base I0 is also provided with four holder-retaining pins 28, formed of wood and glued or otherwise firmly secured to the base I0.

Each individual holder I2 comprises a wooden base 30, a central support 32 and a plurality of wooden pins 34 illustrated as being eight in number and grouped about the central support 32 in such manner as to form four poker chip receiving pockets 36 so that each holder I2 is adapted to contain four stacks of poker chips or other chips, indicated by reference numeral 38 in the drawings.

The central support 32 of each holderl has an enlarged lower portion 40, which is preferably of the same height as the pins 34 and a reduced upward extension 42 of a size suitable tobe received in the cylindrical recess 44 located in the lower end of thel support 32 of another holder. The extensions 42 and holder retaining pins 28 are preferably of the same diameter and are adapted to be interchangeably received in the recesses 44 so that these holders may be interchangeably placed directly upon the base or on top of any other holder to produce the nested arrangement shown in the drawings.

The base of each holder is preferably provided with four notches 46 located as clearly shown in Fig. 5 and so arranged that when a holder is mounted on one of the pins 28 or on the projecting extension 42 of another holder, one of these notches 46 will partially surround one of the handle posts 24, as .most clearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. Since only one notch 46 of any holder is in engagement with a post 24 at any one time, it is only essential that each holder have one of these notches. I have found, however, that it is more convenient to provide each side of the base of each holder with one of these notches, since this arrangement facilitates quicker replacement of the holders in assembled position and permits any side of a holder and, therefore, any stack of chips of a particular color located on such holder tobe placed adjacent th outside of the tray. I

When the cover I4 is in position, as shown in it is to be understood that my invention is not Fiss. 1 and 3. the eXlenSOllS 42 0f the upper series of the Vholders extend through openings 43 provided in the cover so that the cover rests on the upper ends of the pins 34 of the upper series of holders and on the upper ends of the enlarged portions of the central supports 32 of this upper series of holders. In order to prevent accidental displacement of the cover I4, the pins I6 may be provided, although these pins are not essential and may be eliminated if desired.

An important feature of my invention lies in the fact that the individual holders may be assembled in nested position in the rack Without removing the poker chips therefrom. Furthermore, the nested arrangement of the racks is not dependent upon the number or arrangement of poker chips in the individual holders and the same nested arrangement of the holders may be effected with any one or more of the holders empty or completely full, or containing any nurnber or arrangement of chips, provided only that the chips in any one stack do not extend above the upper ends of the pins 34 of any holder.

Another feature o-f my invention lies in the provision of means whereby any one or more holders may be rmly secured in place in the rack regardless of the presence or absence of the remaining holders. This feature of my invention can be most easily explained in connection with Fig. 2, which shows such .a partial assembly of holders. In this particular view the holders are illustrated as being empty, but it is immaterial whether the holders are empty or wholly or partially lled with chips.

In Fig` 2, the holder I2A is supported directly on the base I and the pin 28A extends upwardly into the recess 44 formed in the central support 32 Vand prevents accidental displacement of the holder I2A from the base l0. The notch 46A partially surrounds one of the handle posts 24A and prevents rotation of the holder I2A about the pin 28A.

In this figure the presence of the holders I2B and I2C would also tend to prevent Vrotation of the holder I2A about the retaining pin 28A, but the presence of adjacent holders is not relied upon to prevent such rotation and even if these holders were removed the engagement of notch 46A with post 24A would prevent such rotation. It is, therefore, apparent that a single holder, either with or without chips therein, may be firmly and securely located on the base IU and that each holder, placed directly on this base Il), is firmly and securely held regardless of the presence or absence of any or all of the other three holders which, in the form shown in the drawings, complete the complement of holders adapted to be locally directly on the base I0.

In Fig. 2, the holder IZB is also telescoped over one of the pins 28 and has a notch 46B engaging a side of the handle post 24B and is thus rrnly secured in place on the base I0 independently of the holder IZA. The holder I2C has a recess 44C receivingy the extension 42B of the central support of the' holder IZB. The notch 46C of holder I2C lengages handle post 24B to prevent rotation of holder I2C about extension 42B. Holder I2C is thus firmly secured in position even though all of the other holders of the upper series and half of the holders of the lower series have been removed.

From the foregoing detailed discussion of Fig. 2, it, will be apparent that any one or more of theholders I2 may be firmly secured in place and .that this is true irrespective of the number of holders involved or the particular arrangements of these holders. The added securing effect of the cover I4 is unnecessary except Where it is desired to secure the individual holders so firmly in position that the entire rack can be turned upside down without displacing these holders or the poker chips carried therein. The cover I4 permits the entire rack to be turned upside down without displacing the holders or poker chips therein and also protects the poker chips against accumulations of dust thereon and gives the rack a more finished and attractive appearance.

When the poker chips are not in use, they are ordinarily placed in the pockets provided therefor by the individual holders and these holders are nested, as indicated in Fig. 1, so that the entire assembly occupies a minimum of space, permits ready transportation of the poker chips and individual holders, and affords an attractive appearance. When the poker chips are to be used, the cover I4 is removed and a number of holders removed corresponding to the number of individual players. Each holder is placed beside an individual player who uses the holder as a bank or receptacle for his particular chips. These holders with their loads of chips can be readily moved from point to point by grasping the extensions 42 and using these extensions as handles for the individual holders.

While I have illustrated a form of my invention wherein Wood is utilized as the material of which the rack is made and have shown the pins, supports, and handle structure as being formed of separate parts, it will be understood that it is immaterial whether these pieces be separate from or integral with the bases on which they are mounted and where plastic orsimilar material is used, I contemplate thatv the bases and the various parts mounted thereon may be molded or otherwise formed into integral structures. It is further to be understood that my invention is not limitedl to the details illustrated and described, but may assume numerous other forms and that the scope of my invention is dened in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A rack of the class described comprising a base, a pair of handle posts rigid with said base, a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said posts, a pin projecting upwardly from said base on each side of each of said posts, a holder removably mounted on each pin and having a notch engaging one of said posts to prevent rotation of said holder about its pin, each holder having a central support and a plurality of pins grouped about said support to provide four chip receiving pockets, a reduced extension carried by each of said supports, another holder removably resting upon each of said rst-xnentioned holders and telescoping over one of said extensions, said lastnamed holders having bases provided with notches engaging said posts to'prevent rotation of said last-named holders, each of said lastnamed holders having a central support and being otherwise identical with said first-mentioned holders, a cover having a slot permitting said cover to be telescoped over said cross bar and the upper ends of said posts, said cover having openings receiving the extensions on said upper layer of holders, the upper ends of said posts having tapered openings therein, and tapered pins located in said openings for preventing removal of said cover.

2. A rack of the class described comprising a base, a pair of handle posts rigid with said base, a

cross bar connecting the upper ends of said posts,

a pin projecting upwardly from said base on each 'side of each of said posts,a holder mounted on each pin and having a notchV engaging one of said posts to prevent rotation of said holder about its pin, each holder havingacentralsupport and a plurality of vpins grouped about 'said support to provide four chip receiving pocketaf'a reduced extension carried by each of saidfsupp'orts, arsecond layer of holders restingupon said rst-mentioned holders and telescoping over said extensions, said second layer of holders having bases provided with notches engaging said posts to prevent rotationvof said last-named holders, eaclr of said last-named holders having a central support and being otherwise identical. with said first-mentioned holders, and a cover having a slot permitting said cover to be telescoped over said cross bar andthe upper ends of said posts, said cover having openings'receiving the extensions on said upper layer of holders.

3. A rack of the 4classv described comprising-a base, a handle havingposts rigid with said base, a pin projecting upwardly from said base on each side ofeach of said posts, a holder removably mounted on each pin and having means engaging one of said posts to prevent rotation of said holder about its pin, each holder having a central support and a plurality of pins grouped about said support to provide chip receiving pockets, a reduced extension carried by each of said supports, a second layer f holders removably resting upon said iirst-mentioned holders and telescoping over said extensions, said second layer of holders having bases provided with means engaging said posts to prevent rotation of said lastnamed holders, each of said last-named holders having a central support and being otherwise identical with said rst-mentioned holders, and a cover having openings receiving the extensions on said upper layer of holders.

4. A rack of the class described comprising a base, posts rigid with said base, pins projectingA upwardly from said rbase adjacent said posts, holders mounted on said pins and having notches engaging one of said posts to prevent rotation of said holders about their pins, each holder having a central support and a plurality vof pins grouped about said support to provide chip receiving pockets, a reduced extension carried by each of said supports, and a second layer of holders resting upon said rst-mentioned holders and telescoping over said extensions, said second layer of holders having bases provided with notches engaging said posts to prevent rotation of said last-named holders, each of said last-named holders having a central support and being otherwise identical with said first-mentioned holders.

5. A rack of the class described comprising a base, a pair of handle posts rigid with said base, a cross bar connecting the upper ends of said posts, a pin projecting upwardly from said base on each side of each of said posts, a holder mounted on each pin and having a notch engaging one of said posts toprevent rotation of said holder about its pin, each holder having a central support and a plurality of pins grouped about said support to provide chip receiving pockets, a reduced extension' carried by each of said supports, and a cover having a slot permitting said cover to be telescoped over said cross bar and the upper ends of said posts, said cover having openings receiving the extensions on said holders.

6. A rack of the class described comprising a base, a handle post rigid with said base, pins projecting upwardly from said base on opposite sides of said'post, a holder mounted on each pin and having means engaging said post to prevent--rotation of said holder about its pin, each holder having a central member and a plurality of pins grouped aboutsaid member to provide chip receiving pockets, and a second layer of holders resting upon said first-mentioned" holders and telescoping over said members, said second layer of holders having bases provided with means engaging said post to prevent rotation of said lastnamed holders, each of said last-named holders having a central member and being otherwise identical with said first-mentioned holders to permit interchangeable nesting of Said holders on said base.

7. A game rack of the class described comprising a base for removably carrying a plurality of holders filled with chips, retaining pins projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of individual game chip holders, each holder including pins forming chip receiving pockets, one of said pins of each holder constituting handle means for transporting its holder, each of said last named pins having a recess in the lower end thereof receiving one of said retaining pins, said holders having notches in the sides thereof, and handle means for said base, said last named handle means engaging the notches of any holders on said base to prevent rotation of said holders about said retaining pins.

8. A game rack of the class described comprising a base for removably supporting a plurality of holders filled with chips, retaining pins projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of individual game chip holders, each holder including pins forming chip receiving pockets, one pin of each holder constituting a handle means for its holder, each of said last named pins having a recess in the lower end thereof receiving one of said retaining pins, and handle means for said base, said holders having notches in the sides thereof for engaging said last named handle means whereby any holder or holders supported on said base are held by such engagement against rotation about said retaining pins.

9. A game rack of the class described comprising a base for removably carrying a plurality of chip holders lled with game chips, retaining means projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of individual game chip holders, each holder having upwardly projecting means forming chip receiving pockets, some of said upwardly projecting means having extensions of the same size as said retaining means and constituting handles for said holders and retaining means for superimposed holders, said holders having means adapted to cooperate with the retaining means provided by said base and with the retaining means provided by other holders to permit said holders to be rmly supported and retained on said base when arranged thereon either side by side or one above the other, and handle means for said base, said holders having notches in the sides thereof for engagement with said handle means to prevent rotation relative to said base of any holders mounted thereon.

10. A game rack of the class described comprising, in combination, a base for removably carrying a plurality of holders lled with game chips, retaining pins projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of individual game chip holders having recesses engageable with said pins, each holder including pins forming chip receiving pockets, one pin of each holder having an eX- tension of the same cross-section as one of said retaining pins to engage and retain a superimposed holder, said holders being identical and interchangeable, said holders having handle engaging notches in the sides thereof, and handle means for said base, said last named means cooperating With said notches and said retaining pins rmly to retain one or more of said holders on said base.

l1. A poker chip holder comprising a foursided base, a central support projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of pins grouped about said support and cooperating therewith to form pockets for four stacks of poker chips, said central support having a reduced upward extension constituting a handle for moving said holder and a retaining member for a superimposed holder, said central support having a recess in the lower end thereof adapted to receive a retaining member of the same size as said extension, the base having a post receiving notch in the center of each side thereof.

l2. A poker chip holder comprising ya base, a central support projecting upwardly from said base, a plurality of pins grouped about said support and cooperating therewith to form pockets Afor stacks of poker chips, said central support having an upper end constituting a handle for moving said holder and -a retaining member for a superimposed holder, said central support having a recess in the lower en d thereof adapted to receive a retaining member of the same size as said upper end, the base having a post receiving notch in a side thereof.

13. A game chip holder `adapted for mounting with other holders on a common carrier having an upwardly projecting post, said holder comprising a platform for holding a plurality of stacks of game chips, a plurality of pins cooperating to form pockets for stacks of game chips, one of said pins having an upper end constituting a handle for moving said holder independently of said carrier, said last named pin having a recess in the lower end thereof for receiving a retaining member forming a part of said carrier, and means provided by said holder to prevent its rotation about said retaining member, said last named means being adapted to engage a post forming a part of the carrier.

RICHARDS L. LOESCH. 

